Terrence Fitts
Terrence Fitts was born and raised in Santa Rosa, one report says. He was held in the Sonoma County jail in California when, shortly after midnight on December 10, 1920, the Associated Press reported that a masked mob of 50 to 100 men entered the jail, took the keys and removed him from his cell. Sheriff John Boyes said the mob held him at gunpoint and took his keys. The mob hanged Fitts from an oak tree in a cemetery outside Santa Rosa, along with two other men. One account says Fitts protested as he was taken, and a coroner's jury later exonerated the officers.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. The Associated Press reports that a masked mob overpowered the Sonoma County jail's officers, took Fitts from his cell and hanged him, and Sheriff John Boyes says the mob held him at gunpoint and took his keys.
Reported by: Associated Press (reporters); United Press (reporters); Sheriff John Boyes (the agency that held him); coroner's jury (medical examiner or coroner).
Sources (15)
- El Paso Herald, December 10, 1920, page 1
- Bisbee Daily Review, December 10, 1920, page 1
- Douglas Daily International, December 10, 1920, page 8
- Arizona Republican, December 10, 1920, page 1
- Douglas Daily International, December 10, 1920, page 1
- The Bridgeport Times And Evening Farmer, December 10, 1920, page 1
- The Washington Times, December 10, 1920, page 1
- Indiana Daily Times, December 10, 1920, page 1
- Evening Times-Republican, December 10, 1920, page 1
- Carson City Daily Appeal, December 10, 1920, page 1
- The Evening Herald, December 10, 1920, page 1
- The Nenana Daily News, December 11, 1920, page 1
- The Cordova Daily Times, December 11, 1920, page 1
- Great Falls Daily Tribune, December 11, 1920, page 2
- The Challis Messenger, April 13, 1921, page 2